Roman Marble Head of a Goddess
Late 4th century A.D. or later. A marble head of a lady or a goddess from a statuette, carved in the round with semi-naturalistic facial features and dressed hair with fillet; mounted on a custom-made display stand. Cf. Beckmann, E., Statuary Collections in the Late Roman Villas of Hispania and Southwestern Gaul, University of Pennsylvania, 2016, fig.31, statuette of Aphrodite from Sidon, Istanbul archaeological museum. 477 grams total, 12 cm high (4 3/4 in.). London art market, 1988. The head could represent a late Aphrodite, when compared with heads of the goddess of small late Roman statuettes. In these examples, like here, the goddess’ face is typical of idealised late-mythological statuary, with heavy eyelids, pronounced brow ridges, small lips and a soft jaw. [No Reserve]